By MIKE McCURRY
NEW YORK — Though Markquis Nowell is listed at just 5-foot-8, 160 pounds, all it takes is one electrifying pass or smooth pull-up three-pointer from Bishop Loughlin’s (NY) point guard to alleviate concerns over his pint-sized frame.
Many high-majors share those same sentiments. Nowell, a Class of 2018 four-star recruit, is hearing mostly from Michigan, California, Seton Hall, Minnesota, Georgetown, and VCU of late.
“All of them have been most recent,” said Nowell, following a 24-point performance in Sunday’s 94-77 win over Jefferson in the Apparel Challenge at Christ the King. “They text me daily.”
The Harlem native utilized his speed, burst, and handles to excel in the open court on Sunday.
On one possession, he nailed an estimated 30-footer from the left wing—the very definition of a heat check. On another trip, he made a ridiculous between-the-legs dish back to Jordan Thomas for the slam.
Half: Loughlin 43 Jefferson 30. Below: Jordan Thomas with block at one end and dunk at other, assist by Markquis Nowell. #ApparelChallenge pic.twitter.com/UUcngi3Dfo
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) January 8, 2017
“I was just trying to be aggressive the whole first half and the whole game,” Nowell said. “When you come out with a mindset to be aggressive, then good things happen.”
SPRINGS PICKS UP STONY BROOK OFFER
Richard Springs, a Class of 2019 power forward also from Bishop Loughlin, exclusively told ZAGSBLOG on Sunday that he picked up an offer from Stony Brook within the last few weeks.
The 6-7 sophomore, who also holds offers from St. Louis and St. Bonaventure, possesses great bounce and an explosive first jump. Put simply, his last name is perfect for his game.
UPDATE ON KOFI COCKBURN: ‘EVERYBODY WANTS HIM’
Kofi Cockburn, a 6-10 sophomore at Christ the King (NY), already holds offers from the likes of UConn, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and UNLV.
It’s only a matter of time before additional big time programs join that list for Cockburn, the Jamaica native who has only been in the states for a couple of years.
“Everybody wants him,” said Royals’ head coach Joe Arbitello of his big man. “They’ll start calling at the end of the year, they’ll come in, they’ll see him. That’s when they’ll start to make their major push for him.”
Cockburn went for 9 points and 7 rebounds in Sunday’s 61-53 victory over Wings Academy, including a powerful dunk to break a 50-50 tie.
With the score tied at 50, this ferocious dunk by Kofi Cockburn with 2:33 left in the game put Christ the King up for good against Wings. pic.twitter.com/IdcZIKoWN5
— HS Box Scores NYC (@hsboxscoresnyc) January 9, 2017
A NAME TO REMEMBER: JAYLEN DAVIS
Another player to track for Christ the King is Class of 2019 guard Jaylen Davis, who went for 16 points and 7 boards in that same game.
Royals’ sophomores who have been offered by D-1 schools are Jared Harrison-Hunte and Phillps Joseph—not Davis—but that should soon change.
“Jaylen doesn’t have an offer, but I think after [Sunday] he should, so we’ll see how that goes,” said Arbitello of Davis, who hit three consecutive three-pointers during one particular stretch.
Photo: Steven Schnibbe
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